Nyctophobia lamp

ABSTRACT

This application discloses a lamp mounted within a translucent shade and connected to a mechanically operated rheostat which automatically to a predetermined minimum wattage, a timer is directly connected to the rheostat and manually settable to a desired position. As the timer runs down, the rheostat is rotated, thereby diminishing the wattage supplied to the bulb.

United States Patent [72] lnventor David A. Kopenhaver P.O. Box 1, Deal,N.J. 07723 [21] Appl. No, 749,440 [22] Filed Aug. 1, 1968 [45] Patented Sept. 28, 1971 [54] NYCTOPHOBIA LAMP 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. (I 240/81 R, 128/1 C, 240/25 L [51] Int. Cl F2ls 1112 [50] Field of Search 240/2, 25 P, 25 L, 10, 20, 81; 338/70, 73; 128/1 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,656,452 10/1953 Phils 240/20 X 2,843,111 7/1958 R911... 240/81 X 3,132,810 5/1964 Ostensen 240/2 X 3,244,868 4/ 1966 Goetz 240/10 X 1,858,422 5/1932 Weichelt 338/70 FOREIGN PATENTS 629,096 10/1961 Canada 240/ 2 Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Russell E. Adams, Jr. Attorney-Lucite & Lucke ABSTRACT: This application discloses a lamp mounted within a translucent shade and connected to a mechanically operated rheostat which automatically to a predetermined minimum wattage, a timer is directly connected to the rheostat and manually settable to a desired position. As the timer runs down, the rheostat is rotated, thereby diminishing the wattage supplied to the bulb.

1 NYCTOPHOBIA LAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a means of reducing the symptoms of nyctophobia, the fear of darkness, often suffered by children. The lamp can be regulated as to the amount of light it will burn and this amount of light can thereafter be automatically diminished at a gradual rate over a predetermined time period to quiet people and to allow a child to fall asleep without arousing apprehensions of being alone in the dark. The light fades so gradually and silently from its initial full intensity to a constant lesser degree thereof as to be imperceptible to a drowsy person.

2. State of the Prior Art The closest conventional means of effecting similar results are the several types of night lights now available. These are either small lamps which burn low wattage bulbs or small white Christmas tree bulbs screwed into a socket having a switch, rotatable shade and prongs which plug into a wall socket. These night lights have the disadvantages of either providing too bright a light or of initially subjecting the child to a sudden reduced illumination when the main lights are turned off and the child is adversely subjected to an awareness of being left alone in semidarkness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The lamp forming the present invention is turned on by means of a timer switch for an elected period of 1 minute to a maximum of 30 to 60 minutes, depending upon the timer selected. A mechanically operated rheostat connects the timer to the lamp socket into which the bulb is screwed, and is so calibrated to the timer that resistance increases and the bulb s wattage decreases from its maximum high or full potential to a proportionate reduction thereof as the timer winds down. For example, if a 40-watt bulb is used and the timer is set for a full hour, the initial 40 watts will diminish gradually as the timer runs down to remain burning at watts at the end of the hour. If a 60-watt bulb is used and the timer set for one-half hour, the bulb will burn from 30 watts down to a steady 5 watts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lamp showing its translucent shade mounted on a firm base;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the lamp, partially in section, showing its internal components, and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuitry of the lamp shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as seen from the rear.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings FIG. I shows a lamp having a heavy firm base 11, an unbreakable, translucent shade 12 affording a large area of indirect light, a cover 13 for the shade, and a timing switch knob 14. Preferably shade 12 is made of frosted plastic or other unbreakable material. While the base and cover are shown made of wood, any suitable stable material could be used.

The overall configuration of the lamp is rectangular with a substantially square, weighted base which while resisting tipping will not roll if accidentally knocked over.

As shown in FIG. 2, an electric cord 15 enters the base through a hole 16 preferably in the rear, but here shown on one side thereof. The cord is then drawn upwardly in the hollow internal portion 17 of the base, through a hole 18 in the recessed top portion 19 and up through an elevating brass nipple 20 to a rheostat 21 mounted in the lower portion of a conventional lamp socket 22. The nipple is threaded at both ends and secured to the top 19 by a nut 23 and washer 24.

A short-sleeved bracket 25 is mounted on the other end of the nipple between a nut 26 and the base of the lamp socket. A

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quiet, mechanical spring timer 27 is mounted at the bottom.

thereof to the upwardly extending flange of adapter bracket 25. The plastic knob or the like 14 fits onto the front end of a winding stem 28 extending through a hole 29 drilled in shade 12. The rear end of the stem 30 is coupled to a rotatable rheostat stem 31 so that when the knob is turned to wind up the timer it simultaneously activates the rheostat to turn on the light bulb 32.

As indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 3, when the rheostat stem 31 is turned by timer stem 30 and knob 14 in a counterclockwise direction to the ultimate position, it abuts contact 33 and bulb 32 burns at its full intensity. As stem 31 is driven away from ultimate or maximum position 33 toward its intermediate stop position 34, shown at far left, it causes the current to travel a greater distance thereby increasing the resistance of the circuit and reducing the wattage supplied to the burned bulb 32.

When stem 31 reaches position 34, the bulb will continue to burn at about 5 watts until knob 14, and stem 31, are manually turned in a clockwise direction to off position 35.

Shade 12 is dimensioned to engage the outer surface of recessed top portion 19 and to abut shoulder 36. Knob 14 can be pulled off of stem 28 in order to remove the shade from the base. Access to the inner components of the lamp may then be had by first removing cover 13 from the shade and then lifting the shade from shoulder 36 to separate it from top 19. The shade can then be tilted forward to allow stem 28 to clear hole 29 before lifting it away from the bulb. The shade has been specifically constructed to prevent its ready removal from the lamp by children and thus protect its essential working parts.

The outer portion of cover 13 projects beyond the shade and a recessed lower portion 37 closely fits within shade 12.

An outer shoulder 38 rests upon the upper edge of the shade. It is obvious that one of the main attractions of the subject nyctophobia lamp is its simplicity of construction which lends itself to lower cost and greater availability to the public.

The forms of the invention here described and illustrated are presented merely as examples of how the invention may be embodied and applied. Other forms, embodiments and applications of the invention, coming within the proper scope of the appended claims will of course suggest themselves to thos skilled in the art.

What I claim is:

l. A nyctophobia lamp comprising a base wired with an electric cord and outlet plug, a lamp socket mounted above said base, a lamp bulb screwable into said socket, a variable resistance mounted within said socket and connecting said bulb with said electric cord, said resistance provided with a first rotatable stem, mechanical means for activating said resistance to turn on said bulb at a predetermined degree up to its full wattage potential, said means thereafter automatically reducing the wattage of said bulb by turning said stem to increase said resistance at a graduated rate to an intermediate stop ,position, said bulb remaining lighted at a minimum wattage after said means completes its cycle to said stop position, said means comprising a manually wound timing device having a second rotatable stem, a winding knob detachably mounted on one end of said second stem, then other end of said second stem mechanically coupled with said first stem, the turning of said knob in one direction simultaneously setting said device and lighting said bulb at an intensity directly proportionate to the time period set on said device.

2. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, including a nipple mounted on the upper surface of said base to elevate said socket therefrom, an adapter bracket mounted on the upper end of said nipple below said socket, said bracket having an upwardly extending arm, said device mounted on said arm to position said first and second stems in axial alignment.

3. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, including an integral translucent shade for said bulb and a cover for said shade, said shade and cover cooperating with said base to fully enclose said lamp, wherein the top of said base is provided with a first recessed portion forming a first external shoulder,

the lower part of said shade engages the outer surface of said recessed portion and the lower edge thereof seats on said shoulder, said cover is provided with a second recessed portion to provide a second shoulder, said second recessed portion fitting within the upper part of said shade and the upper edge of said shade abutting said second shoulder.

4. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, including an integral translucent shade for said bulb and a cover for said shade, said shade and cover cooperating with said base to fully enclose said lamp, wherein said fully enclosed lamp comprises a substantially rectangular shaped frosted plastic shade, a substantially square, heavy wooden base and a substantially flat wooden cover forming a nonbreakable, nonrollable lamp,

5. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim], including an integral translucent shade for said bulb and a cover for said shade, said shade and cover cooperating with said base to fully enclose said lamp, wherein said shade is provided with an aperture therethrough, said second stem projecting through said aperture, and a knob mounted on the end of said projecting stem, said knob serving to wind said device, turn said lamp on and off and secure said shade intact on said base.

6. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, wherein said winding knob turns off said bulb when rotated in the opposite direction. 

1. A nyctophobia lamp comprising a base wired with an electric cord and outlet plug, a lamp socket mounted above said base, a lamp bulb screwable into said socket, a variable resistance mounted within said socket and connecting said bulb with said electric cord, said resistance provided with a first rotatable stem, mechanical means for activating said resistance to turn on said bulb at a predetermined degree up to its full wattage potential, said means thereafter automatically reducing the wattage of said bulb by turning said stem to increase said resistance at a graduated rate to an intermediate stop position, said bulb remaining lighted at a minimum wattage after said means completes its cycle to said stop position, said means comprising a manually wound timing deviCe having a second rotatable stem, a winding knob detachably mounted on one end of said second stem, the other end of said second stem mechanically coupled with said first stem, the turning of said knob in one direction simultaneously setting said device and lighting said bulb at an intensity directly proportionate to the time period set on said device.
 2. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, including a nipple mounted on the upper surface of said base to elevate said socket therefrom, an adapter bracket mounted on the upper end of said nipple below said socket, said bracket having an upwardly extending arm, said device mounted on said arm to position said first and second stems in axial alignment.
 3. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, including an integral translucent shade for said bulb and a cover for said shade, said shade and cover cooperating with said base to fully enclose said lamp, wherein the top of said base is provided with a first recessed portion forming a first external shoulder, the lower part of said shade engages the outer surface of said recessed portion and the lower edge thereof seats on said shoulder, said cover is provided with a second recessed portion to provide a second shoulder, said second recessed portion fitting within the upper part of said shade and the upper edge of said shade abutting said second shoulder.
 4. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, including an integral translucent shade for said bulb and a cover for said shade, said shade and cover cooperating with said base to fully enclose said lamp, wherein said fully enclosed lamp comprises a substantially rectangular shaped frosted plastic shade, a substantially square, heavy wooden base and a substantially flat wooden cover forming a nonbreakable, nonrollable lamp.
 5. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, including an integral translucent shade for said bulb and a cover for said shade, said shade and cover cooperating with said base to fully enclose said lamp, wherein said shade is provided with an aperture therethrough, said second stem projecting through said aperture, and a knob mounted on the end of said projecting stem, said knob serving to wind said device, turn said lamp on and off and secure said shade intact on said base.
 6. A nyctophobia lamp according to claim 1, wherein said winding knob turns off said bulb when rotated in the opposite direction. 